Pinoy in Singapore

When we moved to Singapore, we chose to keep some Manila based credit cards because it’s always better to use a local credit card when you’re in Manila so you don’t have to pay extra charges for foreign currency exchange. But there are times when you would need to call the credit card companies and we don’t want to be paying overseas calls to credit card companies while the call center agent puts us on hold and takes their time addressing our issues.

These credit card companies keep telling us to call collect and what I’ve realized is in this day and age, calling collect is no long really common.  So the information on how to call collect is not really available.

So for those who find themselves in a similar situation, fret no longer. To make a collect call to the Philippines from a Singtel phone, just dial

8000 630630.  I’ve tried it and it works (it seems only during working hours) .  The operators are Filipinos.  If your phone provider is Starhub, I suggest calling Starhub and ask for the number to call when calling collect to Manila.

Now, just cross your fingers that the call center agent who would be taking the call was briefed that they can accept collect calls from their clients overseas.  Otherwise, let your credit card company know that it is such a hassle for you to be calling them collect (especially if the reason you’re calling is because they fumbled something up), only for the call to be rejected by the receiving phone banker.

Why can’t they just set up international toll free numbers (not the domestic toll-free like most banks have) like what BPI has?